Greeley businesses anticipate increase in sales for Easter this week

Consumers are expected to spend $18.4 billion on Easter goodies this year, up 6 percent over last year’s record $17.3 billion. The categories below are what they intend on buying.

» $5.8 billion on food (purchased by 87 percent of shoppers)

» $3.3 billion on clothing (50 percent)

» $2.9 billion on gifts (61 percent)

» $2.6 billion on candy (89 percent)

» $1.2 billion on flowers (39 percent)

» $1.1 billion on decorations (43 percent)

» $788 million on greeting cards (48 percent)

Source: National Retail Federation

Easter lilies, violets and azaleas are the flowers of the hour at Judy Jackson's west Greeley flower shop.

Jackson and her team at Cottonwood Florist, 4681 20th St., have started to prepare centerpieces for Easter celebrators and those trying to meet the yearly quota of holiday-themed flowers for their moms. She expects to see more customers in her door come Tuesday and Wednesday.

Yep, Easter is only one week away, and it actually came about three weeks later this year than last. According to the National Retail Federation, that's benefiting most businesses.

The NRF's annual survey conducted by Prosper Insights & Analytics found Americans will spend more on Peeps, baskets full of rabbit-shaped goodies and Easter brunch this year than they have in the past. Easter spending this year is expected to reach $18.4 billion, up 6 percent from last year's record-setting $17.3 billion, according to the survey.

"Most consumers have almost an entire extra month to shop for Easter this year, and by the time the holiday comes the weather should be significantly warmer than last Easter," NRF president and CEO Matthew Shay said in a news release. "That should put shoppers in the frame of mind to splurge on spring apparel along with Easter decorations."

While 58 percent of shoppers will head to discount stores to buy their Easter commodities, 26 percent of shoppers plan to shop local. That's something a lot of small businesses around town bank on each year.

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Jerri Jantz and her staff will spend the next week preparing for the holiday, making strawberries look like carrots and adding pastel colors to her cakes and truffles. The owner of Batter Up Cakes, 802 9th St. in Greeley, said this is the time of year when she starts to change her fresh baked goods visually, mostly because of the transitioning seasons.

Jantz said her sales go up about 50 percent each year around this time for the Easter holiday.

Matt Larson, managing partner for Kenny's Steak House, 3502 10th St., said he expects about 300 customers to walk through the restaurant's door for its special buffet Easter Sunday. Kenny's typically isn't open Sundays, with the exception of three major holidays: Mother's Day, Father's Day and Easter.

Larson said being open benefits both the restaurant and its customers. Being open for the holiday obviously scores Kenny's a few extra bucks it normally wouldn't be making, and it provides customers an opportunity to pass on cooking and grab a holiday-themed meal — cue the prime rib and Easter ham — after a church service.

"I think our style of restaurant and the type of food we specialize in is a natural fit for an Easter meal," he said. "That's why we decided to start doing this about 18 years ago."

The NRF survey said the $18.4 billion consumers plan to spend will be split among seven categories. Consumers will spend the most on food at an expected $5.8 billion, $3.3 billion on clothing, $2.9 billion on gifts, $2.6 billion on candy, $1.2 billion on flowers, $1.1 billion on decorations and $788 million on greeting cards.

Cathy Lockhart, manager of Lolly's Hallmark Shop, 2030 35th Ave., said owner Lolly Macrum loaded the store with Easter basket essentials for her customers, such as themed cards, games and toy bunnies. She said the shop sees a little uptick in sales around this time because of those Easter sales.

But the Easter goodies aren't the only items boosting business. Lockhart also said the shop stocks up on other items, such as candles and outdoor décor, to get people in the mood for some sunshine and the smell of sprouting cherry blossoms.

Jackson agreed. Easter is usually the kickoff holiday for other special events she caters to in the community, such as high school proms and weddings, she said.

"Easter is that time where everybody thinks of spring," Lockhart said. "People are ready to be out on their patios."

Easter by the numbers

Consumers are expected to spend $18.4 billion on Easter goodies this year, up 6 percent over last year’s record $17.3 billion. The categories below are what they intend on buying.